Railroad Engineering at the University of South Carolina

Transcription

1 Railroad Engineering at the University of South Carolina Dimitris C. Rizos Director of Advanced Railroad Technology Group Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

2 Outline RE Program at USC Who are we? What? Challenges

3 Railroad Engineering at USC August 2008 HSR Vibrations (NSF) June 2010 REES Workshop Fall 2010 Course on HSR Dynamics / Railway Dynamics August 2011 Advanced Railway Technology Group Fall 2011 Course on Railroad Bridge Design Spring 2012-Spring 2014 Curriculum Development, R&D, TT and Service

4 The team today Dr. Dimitris C. Rizos, Director Infrastructure & Dynamics Dr. Roger Dougal Power/Energy Mr. Dallas Richards Education, Industry Liaison Dr. David Clarke Education, Operations & Logistics Dr. Nathan Huynh Transportation & Safety Dr. Robert Mullen Risk Analysis Dr. Juan Caicedo Health Assessment Dr. Michael Meadows Education & Hydraulics

5 Technical Resources within USC Units Civil Engineering Advanced Railroad Technology Group Electrical Engineering Computer Science Chemical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Power and Energy Systems Research Group Structural Dynamics and Intelligent Infrastructure Laboratory Business School Hazards & Vulnerability Research Institute USC Libraries

6 Program Director Dr. Dimitris C. Rizos Program Evaluation Advisory Panel Group I Infrastructure Group II Safety & Operations Group III Power, Signals & Communications Group IV Education & Student Relationships New Technologies Risk & Life Cycle Analysis Hazardous Materials Transportation by Railroad Railroad Signal Communications & Control Senior Design Project Railroad Track & Structures Safety Management Systems Advanced Rail Systems Technology Infrastructure Health Monitoring & Assessment Operating Practices Passenger &Freight Electric Traction Power Systems Operations Multi Modal Networks

7 Sponsors and Affiliates CSX Transportation Federal Railroad Administration KSA MERMEC Inc. Norfolk Southern Geomech Group Kimley Horn Transportation Technology Center

8 Outline Who? What do we do? Capabilities Education & Training Research Outrach & Technology Transfer Recignition Challenges

9 Capability Statement Our team, being at the Research and Education forefronts: Offers the distinctive capability to transfer and adopt in the railroad industry technologies, innovations and advancements developed in other areas of engineering, science, business and humanities. Contributes to the development of the next generation of trained, highly skilled and qualified engineers and scientists, filling the generation gap in the railroad industry workforce.

10 Education and Training

11 Courses Offered At a Glance ECIV 470 Capstone Senior Design-Railroad Engineering Track ECIV 580 Infrastructure Planning and Design ECIV 581 Infrastructure Maintenance and Inspections ECIV 582 Operations and Logistics ECIV 588 Analysis & Design of Railroad Bridges ECIV 790T (784) Dynamics of Railway Systems COURSE Fall Spring ECIV705 Multimodal Transportation Systems Design and Analysis x x x x X X X Over 150 students attended classes in the last 3 years

12 Course Delivery APOGEE A Program Of Graduate Engineering Education Help engineering professionals earn graduate credit/degree while maintaining full-time employment and without the constraints of on-campus attendance. Allows instructors to deliver lectures from anywhere in the world Facilitates the development of shared curricula US News & World Report has awarded our APOGEE program Best Online Programs Graduate Education 2013 with a rank of 28 in the nation.

13 Graduate Certificate (in progress) Target Market Undergraduate students at USC and other Institutions Junior engineers already in the industry Any level engineers interested in joining the industry Continuing education (non-degree students) Requirements A BS degree in engineering, or equivalent 18 credit hours Summer Internship or Co-Op

14 Research

15 Current Research: Ballast Modeling for Failure Prediction

16 Current Research: Railway Dynamics

17 Current Research: Prestressed Concrete Tie Technology

18 18 Current Research: Emergency Preparedness &Response Overarching goal: Technical research to address the safe, timely, and effective emergency evacuation of train crews, rail passengers, and nearby population centers during various emergency scenarios involving the accidental release of hazardous materials. The primary goal of the research is to reduce casualties that may occur by requiring rail system operators to follow established procedures. Research objectives: Refine emergency preparedness protocols and response capabilities through Development of emergency plans and procedures, Crew training, Passenger awareness programs, and The installation of certain emergency equipment for use of passengers and crew, and responders in emergency situations.

19 Outreach and Technology Transfer

20 Outreach and technology transfer Organize National and International Conferences and Workshops in SC Coming Soon JRC 2016 in Columbia Develop collaborations with Industry Commitment from Industry for Fellowships, Internships and Job Placement Actively seek funding and support from Federal and State Government and Agencies Recruit highly qualified graduate students

21 Achievements & Recognition

22 Recognition & Achievements Fast Emerging Research Program 13 PhD, MS and undergraduate students. 2 PhD and 1 MS graduated 18 research proposals submitted (over $11 million), 3 proposals pending 4 proposals funded (over $1.1 million) Numerous articles in journals, conferences, reports etc Fast Emerging Education Program 5 new courses in Railroad Over 150 students enrolled in last 3 years Graduate Certificate in RR Engineering (pending)

23 Recognition & Achievements Extremely Strong Student Interest & Participation AREMA Student Chapter (# 7) Over 150 students enrolled in last 3 years ~15 students employed Volunteer work, Conference participation 3 Students AREMA Fellowship recipients Active Involvement professional and trade associations federal and state agencies railway community

24 Recognition ASCE SC: Technical Merit Award (6/2014) NURail Center Affiliate Member (9/2013) AREMA: 1 st Place Member Get a Member (9/2013)

25 Outline Who? What do we do? Challenges

26 Challenges Lack of Institutional Infrastructure No Transportation Center No Industry Contacts/Relations/Network Rail not in the radar Lack of Resources to Develop Educational Materials Textbook availability

27 Challenges Lack of Resources to Develop Research Program No seed funds New kids on the block No partnerships with industry and sponsors Limited Support from University Administration Not in the primary focus areas

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